Burglaries and break-ins are becoming common in Motootua with thieves not only allegedly targetting the hospital but shopkeepers as well and the businesses have also raised concern.

The affected people are asking authorities to do more.

Samoa Observer took a trip around Motootua in an attempt to speak to the shopkeepers, village mayors of Leufisa, Motootua, Tanugamanono, and Vailima, and the security at the hospital on what they know.

A shop owner in Motootua, Terisa Yan who owns the YGC convenience store near the hospital explained that this has always been a concern, especially after her shop was broken into by one of the youths from Tanugamanono last year.

"I had my store broken into by one of the teenagers from Tanugamanono who used to work for us last year and we reported it to the police and until now we have yet to know where that case is heading," she said.

"But it is a really big concern because we worry for our businesses and we see these kids coming around mostly at night and in our mind, they have that intention to steal and it's always worrying.

"But it would be really helpful if we do have some police patrols coming around here now and then, so, we can have some authority seen here whom we can rely on at least."

Mrs. Yan stressed that she is not certain whether a so-called youth gang which was allegedly forming during the pandemic was striking again. She is still worried about thieves.

Meanwhile, the teenager who was arrested and broke into her store was 18-years-old at the time and was from Tanugamanono.

Another shopkeeper whose small shop is located opposite the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, Luse Lui explained that on Monday night, their newly replaced bulb was stolen by someone.

She added that it is also concerning for her to see youths and teenagers walking around unnecessarily, especially around the middle of the night. 

"These kids should not be on the road at times like that even if they are not employed or looking after their loved ones in the hospital," she said.

"Our neighbours kept saying it's the kids from elsewhere that come to chill around here and steal from people but we know the real culprits are yet to be found and that's why we should do something about it."

The issue comes at the back of continuous alleged thefts that were reported to be happening inside the hospital.

This also happened before and the security guards at the TTM hospital blamed the youth gangs and teenagers who walk around Motootu.

Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo explained that this is not a new issue and the police have yet to hear updated information that suggests gangs are involved in Motootua.

"There have been no reports given to us recently on these gangs and there are no more gangs as far as we know," he said.

Auapaau was queried whether there were any reports of gangs causing problems around Motootua as alleged by the security.

He said if the security officers know something about this, they should report it to the police.

The last time reports of a youth gang surfaced in Apia was in 2016 when a group of about 20 youths who branded themselves as Original Blood Outlaw (O.B.O.) was caught by police. The gang was disbanded after seeking forgiveness from their village.

Meanwhile, Samoa Observer tried to speak to three village mayors near Motootua. The mayor of Vailima who resides down the road from the hospital was not available for a comment so was the Tanugamanono mayor who lives at Vaivase.

The mayor of Leufisa who did not want to be named or photographed stressed that the youths and teenagers from Leufisa have never been involved in such troubles.

"All I can say is the youths or teenagers of Leufisa are clean and they were never involved in such alleged incidents," he said.